Aleksey Muratov: Rumors about the cryptocurrency ban in Russia are strongly exaggerated

The adoption of the law on cryptocurrency in Russia is delayed, and rumors of Bitcoin ban are inaccurate. It was announced by Chairman of the Board of the International Public Movement Change the World Together (CWT) Aleksey Muratov

"Recently, Deputy Finance Minister Aleksey Moiseev stated that the Russian authorities have decided not to adopt such a law in the near future, and also first to observe the development of international practice in this area. Recall that the State Duma planned to consider the legislative amendments on the possible introduction of criminal liability for the exchange of money substitutes for rubles. But according to the Federal Financial Monitoring Service meanwhile the threat from cryptocurrency for Russia's economic security does not exist," Aleksey Muratov said.

At the same time, during the eighth annual economic conference "Gaidar Forum", Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia Olga Skorobogatova reminded about the creation of Association "Fintech" on December 28, which will carry out its activities on the whole territory of Russia interacting with banks and IT-companies of EurAsEC. "As Skorobogatova told, the Central Bank will conduct test in 2017 for the creation of new platforms in blockchain that during the next two or three years will already be applied in the business," Aleksey Muratov noted.

“According to representative of the Central Bank of Russia bloсkchain should be used in areas where it can be beneficial to market participants. She gave an example of the prospect of creating a platform for the exchange of information about pledges, for the exchange of attorney on payments. Skorobogatova also told that this year a pilot platform for the remote identification of bank customers will be launched,” Aleksey Muratov said.

According to him, the Bank of Russia also intends to strengthen control over the financial technical companies, but at the same time does not intend to prohibit the circulation cryptocurrency. "Skorobogatova also noted that the Central Bank has taken "quite relaxed position on Bitcoin". I think this is a wise position of the state regulator - not prohibit but study abilities of cryptocurrency. So the rumors about Bitcoin ban in Russia are strongly exaggerated," Aleksey Muratov resumed.